Ross Bowers started for the Bears but was in and out of the game.
BERKELEY, CALIF.—Patrick Laird rushed for one touchdown and caught another, California's defense took advantage of a rocky outing from North Carolina quarterback Nathan Elliott, and the Golden Bears held off the Tar Heels 24-17 in the season-opener for both teams Saturday.
Cameron Goode scored on a 38-yard interception return but left in the fourth quarter with a possible leg injury.
Cal's defense came up big on a day when the Bears rotated three quarterbacks all afternoon — often during the same series — and were limited to 119 passing yards.
Tar Heels Fall At Cal, 24-17
